In a statement announcing the launch, Latham managing partner Robert Dell said the Boston market appeals to the firm due to the presence of, "companies focused on evolving technologies and the venture capital firms and investment banks that fuel and support their growth." The firm plans to use the new office as a springboard to expand its global private equity practice, Dell added. (The firm had no additional comment, according to a Latham spokeswoman.)

The moves from Wilmer are: John Chory, Susan Mazur, Philip Rossetti, and Peter Handrinos, all joining as partners. Rossetti will be managing partner of the new office. The four corporate attorneys all focus on emerging companies in the technology, clean technology, and life sciences industries. Hans Brigham and Julie Scallen are making the move from Bingham (the former as a partner, the latter as counsel). Private equity partner Alexander Temel arrives from Proskauer to chair the office's corporate department.

Rossetti has served as counsel for a number of venture capital clients and in public offerings on behalf of issuers and underwriters, including J.P. Morgan H&Q, Oppenheimer & Co. Inc., and CIBC World Markets. Temel's past clients include Goldman, Sachs & Co., Great Hill Partners, and Housatonic Partners.

"It will be a significant advantage for our clients to work with a Boston-based team complemented by global resources who know the clients' businesses and have the depth of talent to serve the clients no matter the issue or market," Temel said in a statement.

In addition to the announced lateral moves, a source close to the firm confirms that Latham is planning on hiring additional staff for the Boston office at all levels. The firm currently has roughly 2,000 attorneys across 31 domestic and international offices.

Latham earned gross revenue of $1.929 billion in 2010, up 6 percent from 2009, according to financial figures released by the firm in February. Average profits per partner rose 4.5 percent to $1,993,348 last year. (The final results of this year's Am Law 100 ranking will be published in the May 2011 issue of The American Lawyer.)